William BATES married Deborah Lawson on 06 Sep 1803 at Great Brickhill, Buckinghamshire, England I have 4 children from this union Thomas Bates ~b 1816 Martha Bates b ~1826 John George Lawson Bates b ~ 1828 William Bates b ~ 1829 Bearing in mind the parents wedding in 1803 I suspect there were other children between 1803 & 1816 & possibly between 1816 & 1826. All known children were born at Great Brickhill, Buckinghamshire, England My interest is in that John George Lawson Bates emigrated to South Australia, married Elizabeth Teresa Cooney & had 2 children. The children died in a house fire & John just disappeared – not death reg at all for him in Sth Aust or other states within Aust (at least none found to date) I am not sure if he committed suicide, down at sea (living at a coastal location – Wallaroo) or deserted his wife who later remarried William Cook Peacock. Thanks as to any info re extra children or if anyone is aware as to what happened to John. Dr David Squirrell South Australia squirrel@healthon-net.com